Illuminating means for microscopes



Jan. 26, 1954 M. SILGE ILLUMINATING -MEANS FOR MICROSCOPES 2Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 5, 1949 INVENTOR. ,Marija &Si ?z J, 26, 1954sL 2,667,103

ILLUMINATING MEANS FOR MICROSCOPES Filed July 5, 1949 2 Sheets-Sheet 2Patented Jan. 26, 1954 UNITED STATES ATENT OFFICE ILLUMINATING MEAN SFOR MICROSCOPES Martin Silge, Oakland, Calif.

Application July 5, 1949, Serial No. 103,121

2 Clams. l

The present invention relates to improvements in illuminating means fora microscope and its principal object is to provide a common base forthe entire illuminating system and. the microscope system Whereby bothsystems are definitely related and positioned with respect to oneanother and any desired adjustments may be made in either of the twosystems without disturbing the relation between the same.

It is further proposed to provide an illuminating system in which allthe parts are integrated in a single structure which at the same timeserves as a base for the microscope.

It is further contemplated to provide adjustable means on the base forpositioning the microscope with respect to the illuminating system, thisadjusting means being arranged to accommodate different types and sizesof microscopes and to bring their respective optical axes into properrelationship with respect to the light beam of the illuminating system.

It is further proposed to arrange the positioning means in such a mannerthat once it has been adjusted-to a definite microscope, the latter maybe easily removed and i'c-inserted upon operation of a single thumbscrew, with the assurance that upon re-insertion it will occupy theidentical position it previously occupied.

It is a further object to introduce certain control elements into theilluminating system whereby the use of the microscope for variouspurposes is greatly facilitated.

In this respect it is particularly proposed to provide means forcontrolling the light intensity of the illuminating system withoutinterfering with the color temperature of the light. My invention, whilegenerally useful for mere visual observation of the specimen underconsideration, is particularly intended for use in photomicrography.Color films used in this process are balanced to a definite colortemperature of the source of light and my intensity control is arrangedin such a manner that it operates independently of the color temperatureof the source of light and leaves the latter unafiected.

It is further proposed to provide, in connection with the illuminatingsystem, certain color filters which may be selectively introduced in thepath of the light beam Whereby certain portions of the visible spectrummay 'oe filtered to provide a convenient means for selecting a color ofthe illuminating beam suitable for black and white photomicrography andvisual observation through the microscope.

And finally, it is proposed to introduce additional control elementsinto the path of the beam of light including a condensing system with aniris diaphragm and an auxiliary condenser located beneath the sub-stageof the microscope which serves to form an image of the field diaphragmin the plane of the microscopic object, this auxilitary condenser beingmounted With freedom of universal adjustment in a horizontal plane so asto permit of ready positioning of the image of the field diaphragm inthe field of vision of the microscope.

Further objects and advantages of my invention will appear as thespecication proceeds, and the novel features of my invention will befully defined in the claims attached hereto.

The preferred form of my invention is illustrated in the accompanyingdrawing, in which Figure 1 shows a vertical longitudinal section throughmy illuminating means, the microscope and a portion of the camera beingshown in dotted lines,

Figure 2, a transverse section taken along line 2-2 of Figure 1,

Figure 3, a horizontal section taken along line 3-3 of Figure 1,

Figure 4, a vertical detail section taken along line 4-4 of Figure 3,and

Figure 5, a vertical detail section taken along line 5-5 of Figure 3.

While I have shown only the preferred form of my invention, I wish tohave it understood that various changes and modications may be madewithin the scope of the claims attached hereto without departing fromthe spirit of the invention.

Referring to the drawings in detail, my invention comprises in itsprincipal physical parts a base I, means for mounting a microscope 2thereon, a light column 3 mounted on the base in spaced relation to themicroscope and a light channel 4 extending radially from the lightcolumn to a location underneath the optical system of the microscope.

The base l is preferably made substantially triangular in shape, withthe corners rounded as shown to provide an attractive appearance andconvenience in use. It consists of a horizontal plate slightly spacedfrom a supporting surface by means of an all-around fiange 5 andsuitable Webs e inside of the fiange.

The wider portion of the base is reserved for the mounting means for themicroscope, the supporting structure of which usually provides two rearcorners 'i on opposite sides of the microscope tube and a rounded orotherwise shaped 3 front section 8 diametrically opposite the said tube.

In my invention I provide a three-point cositioning means for thesupporting struct` of the microscope intended to accommodatesubstantially any form of supporting structure. This means comprises twovertically disposed angles e adapted to receive the rear corners oi themicroscope support, and a sli-:ling block adapted to bear on the frontsection of the support and to urge said support firmly upon the anglesS. The angles may be referred to as contour pieces, since they areintended to the contour of the inicroscop support The angles are pivotedupon posts i! s from the :front ends of slotte slide lllellbo 's and maybe rmly Secured upon members in adjusted position by means of nuts 13threads upon the posts and having knurled heads for convenience ofoperation.

The slotted slides are mounted with freedom of sliding and swing ngmovement by means of screws i l threads into the base on opposite of thechannel extending through the siots, suitable washers being interposeclbetween the screw heads and the slides and the screw heads beingprovided with nger pieces i& to fa *ate manipulation thereof. The slidesmay thus be firrly Secured in adjusted positions by operation of thescrew heads.

The block i& is mounteu for idi movement with respect to a slot i?(....gure 3) arranged in the base in the vertical plane of 'the opticalsystem, the block having a guide piece it rid ng on the base in the slotand a bottom plate i& hearing e ost the underface of the base. The blockis formed with a bottom groove aecommodating a Washer 20, and a screw 2!is threaded into the block for bea-ring upon the Washer to force thesame upon the edges of the slot for looking the l'lock in adjustedposition. The block is formed with a horizontal slot 22 immediatelyabove the groove to provide tension for locking the screw. The Washer isheld in position in the groove by means of a small pin (not shown)extending into the block, or by any other suitable means.

The column 3 is hollow and preferably cylindrical in shape and ismounted to rise vertically from the front portion of the base, in spacedrelation to a microsccpe mounted on the base in the manner described. Itis secured upon the base by means of bottom fle-. nge 25 and has a topiiance 25 adapted to have a standard 25' mounted thereon. The latter isused for supporting a camera ovei` the microscope and in opticalalinement therewith. Only a small portion of the camera is shown in theform of tubular, light-proof Connector for the microscope to indicatethat the optical axis of camera is in alinement with the optioal systemof the microscope and with the illuminating system.

The channel i extends radially from the lower portion of the column. inthe direction of the slot !l and in alinement therewith and in such amanner that the microscope may be adjusted to proper position W hrespect to the outer end thereof so as to bring the optical axis of themicroscope into proper rclationship to the optical axis of the illuninating system.

My illuminating system is accommodated in the column and the channel andcomprises in its principal features source of light 3& mounted in theupper part of the column, a concave reflector 3: mounted over thesource, a pair of light control members 32 and 33 mounted underneath thesource, a pair of refiectors 34 and 35 mounted with respect to thechannel to reflect the rays of light into the channel axially andupwardly at the outer end of the channel, a condensing system 36interposed between the reflectors and including an iris diaphragm 31,and an auxiliary condenser 38 mountcd above the second reflector 35.

he source of light se may be in the form of an electric lamp suitablyconnected to any desired source of electrical energy. For certainpurposes the lamp should be carefully selected with respect to colortemperature, one of the in st important features of the presentinvention being to eect certain Controls over the beam of light withoutinterfering With light characteristics incident to color temperature.

Z'he reflector Si is mounted on an arm 39 which latter is Secured upon ashaft SS mounted in a hearing i! in the u 'all of the column andoperable by means of a kno'o 3 2 for winging sidewise into inactiveposition.

Underneath the lamp I provide two rotary wheels and 33 mountet in partlyoverlapping relation, each of the wheels having an annular series ofcircular windows 45-45 (Figure 3) and the wheels being mounted in such amanner that the centers of any selected pair of windows be brought intothe axis of the illuminating beam. Both wheels have outer sectionsprojecting slightly beyond the periphery of the coluinn so that they maybe actuated from the outside of the column. Each of the wheels hasseries of notches il in the bottom face of the rim, and column has aspring finger 48 for each wheel mounted upon the outside thereo', thespring fingers and the notches being related for each finger to engagein a notch, When a related window has reached central position withrespect to the light beam,

The two wheels are mounted eccentrically with respect to the path of thelight beam, the upper wheel 352 being mounted on a shaft i in a bracketprojectin; inwardly from the wall of the column, and the wheel beingmountecl on a diainetrically opposite shaft 39 supported in a bracketprojecting inwardly [rom an opposing section of the column wall.

The windows of the upper wheel 32 are intende(` or producing desiredlight diusing effects. One of the windows is preferably left open, incase no dinmng efiect is desired, but the other windows have colorlessdifi'usion discs 53 mounted therein, successive discs being ofprogressively increasine difiusive power. Each difusion disc, whenplaced in the beam of light close to the lamp, is illuminated by thelatter and is then used as the source of light for the illumin ngsystem.

The W dows of the lower wheel 33 are intended to produce certain colorfiltering effects. One of them may again he left open for use in case nofiltering effect is desired, but the others are provided with colorfiltering discs 'zi i of varying characteristics and degrecs ofintensity.

Thus desired light intensity control and desired filtering cects may beobtained, without changing the color temperature of the original source,which is of great importance when color films are to be used which arebalanced to a definite color temperature.

The beam of light issuing from the selected windows or discs isreflected by the reflector i i, passes through the condensing system 36and the iris diaphragm 31, controllable by a knob 55 movable alongsideof the column 3, and is again refiected upward by the reector 35, theposition of which may be adjusted by operation of either one of twoscrews 59 working against a spring 51.

An auxilary condenser 39 is mounted over the channel opening 59 withfreedom of universal adjustment in a horizontal plane, the condenserhaving an annular flange 59 extendng into the opening 58, and the flangebeing of smaller diameter than the light opening. She condenser may belocked in adjusted position by means of a set screw 99 threaded into thechannel wall and passing through a slot 6! in a tongue 82 projectingfrom the condenser.

In operation, the microscope may be readily positioned to bring itsoptical system into proper alinement with a beam of light issuing fromthe illuminating system by proper adjustment of the angles 9 and theblock m. Once the angles 9 have been properly adjusted and fixed for acertain microscope, the latter may be easily removed and re-insertedupon operation of the block o, with the definite assurance that it willalways occupy the same position.

The lamp may be selected to have desired color temperaturecharacterstics and proper operation of the upper wheel will givecomplete control over the light intensity, without any change in thecharacteristics incident to color temperature. Desired color filteringeffects may be obtained by operation of the lower wheel.

The auxiliary condenser located beneath the sub-stage of the microscopeserves to form an image of the field diaphragm in the plane of themicroscopic object under observation and is mounted with freedom ofuniversal adjust-,ment in its plane so as to permit of ready positioningof the image of the field diaphragm in the field of Vision.

I claim:

1. In a combination of the character described, a flat base, a straighttubular housing rising therefrom and having an opening in the wallthereof adjacent the base, a lamp mounted in the housing, a lightchannel projecting sidewise from said opening and having a light openingspaced from the housing and presented upwardly, an optical system in thehousing and the channel for directing rays of light emanating from thelamp upwardly through the light opening in the channel, the base havinga slot outside of and in alinement with the channel, and means formounting a microscope having a heel pair of spaced toes adapted tostraddle the channel on said base, comprising a pair of screws threadedinto the base on opposite sides of the channel substantially at itsconnection with the column, a pair of slctted members swingable andslidable on said screws and fastenable thereby in adjusted position, apair of corner pie-ces swingable on the slotted members and. securablethereto in adjusted position and operable to abut against the toes foranchoring the same, and a block slidable in the slot and operable toengage against the heel of the microscope and having means for lookingthe same in adjusted position.

2. A combination as defined in claim 1, in which the base issubstantially triangular in shape and in which the housing is mounted inthe apex of the triangle and the channel and the slot are located` onthe center-line of the triangle.

MARTIN SILGE.

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